Out-patient Treatment of Haemorrhoids

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Abstract
The scope of out-patient treatment of haemorrhoids has been increased since the introduction by Barron in 19631 of rubber band ligation. This combined with conventional sclerotherapy can greatly reduce the number of hospital admissions for an extremely common condition. In May 1979 a ‘Rectal Clinic’ was established at the Royal Naval Hospital Haslar, primarily for the treatment of haemorrhoids but also to allow a rapid referral service in the hope of detecting large bowel cancer at an earlier stage. During a one year period over 100 patients have been referred for treatment of haemorrhoids, of whom 66 have completed their course of therapy. A retrospective survey of 60 in-patients with haemorrhoids admitted over a similar period in the previous year was made for comparison. Only six patients have required operation since the clinic commenced. Out-patient treatment has been found to give a better rate of symptomatic relief and resulted in a much shorter time away from work, without the considerable cost of hospitalisation. It is therefore recommended that such procedures should be more widely used in hospital practice.

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